HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-2017 ARC Correspondence - Item 1 (Cooper)To: Architectural Review Commission, Kyle Bell and Doug Davidson
Re: 435 Marsh Street
Date: September 8, 2017
From: Allan Cooper, Secretary Save Our Downtown
Honorable Chair Wynn and Commissioners -
We fully concur with both staff and with the City Arborist recommending retention of the
existing ficus street tree. The applicant has requested removal…to “reinforce the architectural
rhythm of the primary building façade…”. We believe that a tree of this size and beauty will only
enhance, not detract from, the aesthetics of this building particularly as it will help scale down
the otherwise overbearing height of a 4-story building.
As for the introduction of a 4-story building into a predominantly one story neighborhood:
The recently approved update to the Downtown Concept Plan provides the following
description for Block 40: “Multifamily housing is envisioned in the R-4 zone along Pacific
Street. Commercial mixed use will redevelop around the corner of Marsh and Carmel Streets,
which could include housing on upper stories, conveniently located to structured parking.”
What is noteworthy in this description is that, where 4-story buildings are recommended
elsewhere in the Downtown Core, there is no mention of a 4-story building here.
Moreover the Community Design Guidelines state that “Multi-story buildings should be set
back above the second or third level to maintain a street façade that is consistent with the
historic pattern of development, maintaining the general similarity of building heights at the
sidewalk edge” and “New buildings that are significantly taller or shorter than adjacent
buildings shall provide appropriate visual transitions”.
We applaud the architect’s ability to make this tall building look shorter by dividing it into 3
floors at the street level. And the applicant could argue that the surrounding 1-story buildings
(i.e., the private M.D. practice, the realty business and the self-service car wash) could soon be
replaced with taller buildings. However, the two bungalows across the street (i.e., the attorney
at law business and Genarro's ) are architecturally and historically worth saving and will
become somewhat overwhelmed by the scale of this project.
So in conclusion we are recommending step backs along Marsh and Carmel Streets. Thank
you!